Homeschool Series
Each year, Merry Lea sponsors a series of class sessions for homeschooled students covering a range of natural history and environmental topics. Sessions are planned so that students can attend in successive years without significant repetition of content while building on previous experiences. Students are grouped to provide age appropriate instruction.
For each session, students spend a significant portion of time outdoors to take advantage of the wonderfully diverse landscapes at Merry Lea. Please dress appropriately for the predicted weather conditions. Additionally, any of our offered field trips are available as a homeschool activity as well. Contact us for more information.
Class Time: 9:30-1:30; registration begins at 9:15
Cost:
$7.50 per student for each session or
$35 per student for all 5 sessions if paid at the September session.
$20 maximum per family per session.
Lunch: Bring along a sack lunch. During the September class you’ll be carrying lunch along with you.
Clothing: Dress to be outside all day. We recommend old clothes and close toed shoes.
Please register at least one week in advance by emailing Maria Tice at mariact@goshen.edu or calling her at 260-799-5869.
Visit http://www.merrylea.goshen.edu/ for maps, direction and more information about Merry Lea.
2012-2013 Merry Lea Homeschool Series
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September 26 Autumn Adventures (Meet at Learning Center) What do trees, animals, seeds, spores, insects do to get ready for winter? Come find out on a fall day and search the meadows, woods and wetlands for those Autumn Adventures! |
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October 24 Land Ethic (Meet at Farmstead & hike to Learning Center) During an extended hike, students will increase their awareness of the land & explore ways they can become better stewards of that land. Students will discover how land is a community that yields a cultural harvest. They will also explore the meaning of “land ethic”. This program is based on the writings & ideas of Aldo Leopold, known as the father of wildlife management. Leopold was a conservationist, forester, teacher, writer, philosopher & outdoor enthusiast. His best-known book is A Sand County Almanac. Pack your lunch to carry with you as you’ll be hiking across the property. |
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February 20 Winter Nature (Meet at Learning Center) Enjoy the wonders of winter! Students explore how people, plants & animals cope with winter. Outdoors they search for signs of life in the wintry woods & meadows. Some indoor activities are also included to allow time for warming up. |
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April 24 Biodiversity (Meet at Learning Center) Survey first-hand the diversity of life at Merry Lea. Explore several ecosystems in search of plants & animals there. In each location students will identify their finds & discuss the interconnections of mammals, insects, plants, humans & all other life. |
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May 22 What’s Buggin’ You? (Meet at Luckey’s Landing) Students will gain an understanding & appreciation of the characteristics, diversity & importance of insects. They will learn about life cycles, behavioral adaptations, human interactions with insects, the types & essential parts of insect habitats, & how insects fit into food webs. They will explore a number of ecosystems in search of these amazing and diverse creatures! |
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